APPROVAL has been granted to demolish three bungalows as part of hopes to build 12 apartments and five houses – despite widespread objection.
Developer Fortitudo has applied for the fourth time to redevelop land containing three occupied bungalows in Good Road, Poole, following three previous rejections for similar plans.
Residents say they have been in a “fight” with developers since September last year when the first plans for 12 apartments and six houses were submitted for the mostly bungalow-inhabited road.
Following the three previous objections, each garnering many objections for “gross overdevelopment” among other complaints, the latest plans revise the number of houses from six to five.
In a boost to the proposals, BCP Council granted prior approval for the demolition of the three residential dwellings and associated outbuildings at 58-62 Good Road on August 30. However, this is approved separately to the main development application and is not an approval of the overall plans – which are still out to consultation.
Objections have been lobbied by residents of Good Road, several surrounding roads as well as the Society of Poole, who expressed disappointment over the proposals.
One resident said: “I am both appalled and devastated at the arrogance. It seems the developers keep resubmitting until they grind us down.
“They are playing the bully game here and we have many elderly neighbours who have been fighting this.”
Another said: “Apart from removing one building, it is practically identical to [the] three failed applications and does not address the fundamental flaws which still exist.”
In its design and access statement, Fortitudo said: “The scale of proposed development has been designed to create an attractive scheme which makes the best use of this site, whilst not representing an overdevelopment of the site.
“The highest ridge height of the two apartment blocks is 8.5 metres, this is the same as the approved development at 69a Good Road, which almost opposite the application site.
“The proposed development will contribute to a high-quality design solution which will make a positive contribution to the built environment, fitting in well with the established development in the area.”
Fortitudo has been approached further to comment.
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